Thermally Driven Photonic Actuator Based on Silica Opal Photonic Crystal with Liquid Crystal Elastomer

Abstract

We have developed a novel thermoresponsive photonic actuator based on three-dimensional SiO2 opal photonic crystals (PCs) together with liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). In the process of fabrication of such a photonic actuator, the LCE precursor is infiltrated into the SiO2 opal PC followed by UV light-induced photopolymerization, thereby forming the SiO2 opal PC/LCE composite film with a bilayer structure. We find that this bilayer composite film simultaneously exhibits actuation behavior as well as the photonic band gap (PBG) response to external temperature variation. When the SiO2 opal PC/LCE composite film is heated, it exhibits a considerable bending deformation, and its PBG shifts to a shorter wavelength at the same time. In addition, this actuation is quite fast, reversible, and highly repeatable. The thermoresponsive behavior of the SiO2 opal PC/LCE composite films mainly derives from the thermal-driven change of nematic order of the LCE layer which leads to the asymmetric shrinkage/expansion of the bilayer structure. These results will be of interest in designing optical actuator systems for environment-temperature detection.

Sensitively Humidity‐Driven Actuator Based on Photopolymerizable PEG‐DA Films

“…[1][2][3][4] For example, sea cucumbers can alter the stiffness of their dermis within seconds to obtain survival advantages; [5] the Venus flytrap can close their leaves in a second for efficient prey capture. [6] Recently, inspired by these biological examples, a variety of artificial smart actuators that convert a change in environmental conditions, for example, electric, [7,8] thermal, [9][10][11] light, [12,13] to reorientation of embedded silicon nanocolumns depending on the humidity level. [46] Schenning and co-workers reported polymer liquid crystalline hydrogel containing poly(acylic acid) is able to lead color change due to humidity response.…”

A NIR light-triggered pyroelectric-dominated generator based on a liquid crystal elastomer composite actuator for photoelectric conversion and self-powered sensing

“…This bending mechanism is similar to that of SWNT-LCE composite/silicone bilayer and quasi-bilayer LCEbased composite lms in previous reports. 37,46,47 Fig. 2h shows the variation in the at and bending angles with cycling before and aer exposure to NIR light.…”

Dual‐Responsive SPMA‐Modified Polymer Photonic Crystals and Their Dynamic Display Patterns

“…In recent years, inspired by the features of PCs, many scientists have studied intelligent PC materials with structural colors . Thus, PCs have attracted great interest and have been extensively studied because of their wide range of applications, which include dyes and inks, sensors, optical devices, displays, and shape‐memory materials …”

“…[6] Thus, PCs have attracted great interest and have been extensively studied because of their wide range of applications, which include dyes and inks, sensors, optical devices, displays, and shape-memory materials. [7][8][9][10][11] Fluorescent displays, as a novel display technique, exhibit many well-documented advantages, including simple processing, low cost, high efficiency, and high resolution. Many researchers have devoted themselves to developing photochromic materials for fluorescent displays.…”